In the days of Nehemiah, after a portion of Judah returned from captivity and rediscovered God's law, the Feast of Tabernacles was observed with great reverence. The people dwelt in temporary dwellings for seven days, as commanded, and Ezra read from the law each day, expounding its meaning to help them understand. This was not merely a ritual but a heartfelt engagement with God's word, as the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. Their observance exemplified what it means to keep a feast to the LORD for the full seven days, ensuring that He remained the focus of their celebration. This pattern of dwelling in booths and receiving daily instruction from God's word demonstrates a commitment to honoring Him fully during the feast.

During the time of Nehemiah, the Feast of Tabernacles was observed with a profound emphasis on understanding and spiritual renewal, particularly during the re-establishment and rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. This occasion, which began on the Feast of Trumpets, stirred a deep emotional response among the people due to the stresses they had endured and the significance of the moment. Not since the days of Joshua, the son of Nun, had the feast been kept with such a combination of elements in the right proportion—obedience, location, attitude, and emphasis. The people were in a highly receptive state to hear the Word of God, and He granted them understanding, highlighting that mindless observance or seeking enjoyment for its own sake was not His intent for the feast. Instead, the focus was on transformation and a deeper relationship with Him, ensuring that the observance bore true spiritual fruit.